As fears of a “pharmacy desert” spread, Walmart announces same-day drug delivery

Walmart announced this week that it is launching same-day prescription delivery service. The program is currently available in six states – Arkansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, South Carolina and Wisconsin – and plans to be available in 49 states by January 2025.

The company, which has continued to expand its pharmacy services in recent years, said Walmart is able to serve more than 86% of U.S. households because of its “extensive existing presence throughout the United States.” This allows customers to assemble general store items and medications in a single order right at their doorstep.

Walmart's announcement follows the closure of pharmacies across the country, raising fears of a “pharmacy desert” where people don't have ready access to a brick-and-mortar pharmacy where they live. This also comes shortly after Amazon, another retail giant moving into the healthcare sector, announced the expansion of its own same-day drug delivery service and a growing reliance on online pharmacies and medical services.

What you should know about Walmart's same-day delivery service

Walmart said customers can add recipes in the Walmart app or online. Scheduled same-day prescription delivery is free for Walmart Plus members, but a $9.95 delivery fee applies to everyone else. Walmart said in its press release that insurance plans will be applied to the order, just like in-store.

Walmart said customers will soon have the option to receive their delivery “on-demand” or via “express delivery” in as little as 30 minutes.

Walmart same-day delivery service cannot be used for certain medications, including controlled substances (for example, Adderall or other stimulants), those that require refrigeration, and medications covered by Medicare Part B.

Why are so many pharmacies closing?

Reports of pharmacy closures have made waves. Walgreens said this month it will close 1,200 stores over the next three years and about 500 in fiscal 2025.

CVS told Good Housekeeping that it will close about 300 stores in 2024. According to various media reports, Rite Aid is also continuing to close stores. These reports do not take into account the independent, smaller drugstores that may also have closed.

A New York Times report on the drugstore closures pointed to the role of pharmaceutical benefit managers (often viewed as “middlemen” in the pharmaceutical industry) in underpaying smaller or independent pharmacies as one reason for the closures. As USA Today reported, independent pharmacies that serve many Medicare and Medicaid patients may receive lower reimbursement rates.

As CNN reported, the financial difficulties of smaller pharmacies may also be due to the fact that many people buy items (not medications) locally from large retailers such as Amazon or Walmart.

While many people receive care through telemedicine and prescription delivery services that do not require an office or store visit, pharmacies are considered the easiest way to receive preventative health care, such as vaccinations. Going to a neighborhood pharmacy can also be an easier way to get medications for those who don't like using technology to fill their prescriptions.

Rural areas and communities with less access to healthcare could be hit hardest by a pharmacy desert. These communities with greater “social vulnerability,” as described in a JAMA Network Open article, may also have higher rates of disease requiring medication and access to health care.